Justice News

Two Illinois Postal Employees Indicted for Theft and Delay of United States Mail

On February 21, 2018, a federal grand jury for the Southern District of Illinois returned two separate indictments against former United States Postal Service employees who had been employed in Post Offices in Belleville, Illinois, and Godfrey, Illinois, announced Donald S. Boyce, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois.

In the first indictment, Briana N. Burrage, 22, of Belleville, Illinois, was charged with unlawful delay of United States Mail while working as a letter carrier at a Belleville, Illinois Post Office. The indictment alleged that in September of 2017, Burrage, failed to deliver thousands of pieces of United States mail by placing the mail in large trash bags in her personal vehicle over a several week period.

The second indictment charged Amber J. Brawley, 36, of Godfrey, Illinois with theft and embezzlement of United States Mail while working as a postal employee at a Godfrey, Illinois Post Office. The indictment alleged that in August of 2017, Brawley stole items from the United States Mail and converted the contents of the mail for her own use.

Burrage and Brawley both face up to five years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000.

An indictment is a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.

The investigations were conducted by the United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General and are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ranley R. Killian.